empty nester

noun

empty nest·​er -ˈne-stər How to pronounce empty nester (audio)
: a parent whose children have grown and moved away from home

Examples of empty nester in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The film follows Liz, a former therapist and soon-to-be empty nester, who relocates to a new town for her husband’s job. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025 Most unpaid caregiveers are women, and the people most likely to shoulder the burden were not retirees or empty nesters, but Gen Xers in their late 40s through early 60s. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, Gizelle Bryant—now an empty nester—has turned solitude into a brand. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 4 Oct. 2025 For the couple, who raised five kids and are now empty nesters, the nightly visits have become a highlight of their day. Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for empty nester

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of empty nester was in 1958

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Cite this Entry

“Empty nester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empty%20nester. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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